Diabetes task force established to develop new national strategy

The plan will inform future health spending to target diabetes prevention and managent.The strategy will provide an up-to-date high-level policy framework for action in diabetes prevention and care, which will build on existing work to enhance current investment; it will be underpinned by “the best available” evidence and it will focus on high-impact achievable actions while recognising the fiscal outlook facing all governments.
The strategy will occur at the same time as broader considerations on the National Chronic Disease Strategy, and will be a valuable opportunity to adopt an integrated approach to policy on a national level as well as maintaining an alignment with key work progressing in the international arena.
Ms Moylan established the bi-partisan Federal Parliamentary Diabetes Support Group in 2000 and last year she was awarded the Sir Kpson Maddox Award for her contribution to diabetes prevention.
Professor Zimmet was founder and director of the International Diabetes Institute, Australia’s first institute dedicated exclusively to diabetes. He holds many positions including honorary president of the International Diabetes Federation. In 2001, he was appointed to the Order of Australia for services to medical research, particularly in the field of diabetes.
The advisory group will identify gaps in services and develop a best practice model which draws on existing national and international approaches to diabetes prevention and managent.
It will deliver the strategy within 12 months and will consider activities which will be designed to:
– Improve early identification of diabetes;
– Enable optimal managent of patients by general practice and the primary health care sector;
– Improve health literacy and support for self-care, including applications to enhance monitoring of an individual’s condition;
– Ensure timely responses to prevent and manage complications caused by diabetes such as kidney and heart health, eye and foot complications; and
– Focus on those at most risk, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and pregnant women.